Performing a manicure in a salon with the application of a decorative coating is now quite common; many girls turn to a specialist every month to correct the work.
However, not all of them know that the cosmetic procedure has health restrictions, failure to comply with which leads to a decrease in the quality of work and other consequences.
However, there are also controversial issues on which there is no clear opinion among experts, for example, whether pregnant women can have their nails extended. The limitation is relative, but there are several subtleties that should be taken into account before visiting the salon when carrying a child.
Can pregnant women get nail extensions?
Is it dangerous to get nail extensions for pregnant women? Can pregnant women get nail extensions? Pregnant women need to constantly listen to themselves and immediately solve any health problems that arise. But besides this most important mission, a woman, as always, wants to be irresistible to herself and the people around her. Therefore, we cannot condemn the desire of pregnant women to take care of their hands. And since nature has not blessed all women with strong nails, many of us resort to the help of extended nails.
Nail care
A hygienic manicure is quite enough to make your hands look beautiful and well-groomed. But at the same time, I would like to talk about several folk methods that will help pregnant women restore the strength of their nails and also make the skin of their hands soft.
How can pregnant women take care of their hands:
- Massage is the main way to make your nails beautiful. It is recommended to do it using medicated oil and products that will help strengthen the plates.
- After creams prepared with natural ingredients (lemon juice, olive oil), your nails will become stronger and your skin will become silky. You can buy vitamin A at the pharmacy and also add it to this mixture.
- Soda baths are excellent for strengthening nails. To do this, you need to dilute 1 tablespoon of baking soda in water. To make the effect more obvious, it is advisable to do the procedure daily for 20 minutes for 14 days.
The mother’s well-being, her mood and psychological state directly affect the child’s health. If beautiful nails make you a little happier, then you can extend them. Just remember to consult a specialist before doing this and do not use cheap materials.
Are there any contraindications for nail extensions during pregnancy?
Firstly , you need to choose the material that suits you individually for extensions. In many pregnant women, due to hormonal changes, the extended nail detaches the next day. That is why the composition for the procedure should be suitable for you. For example, there are two types of material: gel and acrylic. And although acrylic has a strong odor, this does not mean that the gel is a less volatile substance. Both of them evaporate the same way, only the gel does it “odorlessly”. Therefore, just determine what suits your nails. Perhaps acrylic, although it has a smell, will lie perfectly on your nail plate.
Secondly , there should be strong ventilation or an exhaust hood above the table where nail extensions take place, which will protect you from inhaling harmful fumes. There is an opinion that such pairs can lead to developmental disorders of the fetus.
IMPORTANT: However, studies have shown that the association between inhaling fumes from nail extensions or painting did not lead to the birth of children with disabilities. Just protect yourself and your unborn child as much as possible from any negative factors.
Thirdly , all tools must be properly processed.
This is necessary in order to reduce, or rather prevent, the risk of viruses and microbes entering a pregnant woman’s body that can harm her health and the health of the baby. Of course, the ideal option is to have personalized tools that would be used only for your hands. But if this is not possible, for whatever reason, make sure that the existing tools are well treated before using them for manicure. This may seem pedantic to some, but for pregnant women this is forgivable, because the main task is to ensure safety on all sides!
So, from the above facts we can conclude that nail extensions are not at all so scary during pregnancy.
You just need to pay more attention to the materials and tools used in nail salons and listen to your body. Remember that a woman is ultimately beautiful in any form! And although nails are considered a woman’s calling card, sometimes just neat, well-groomed, even sometimes unpainted nails are enough. The main thing is neatness, tenderness, self-respect and love.
What is nail extension?
There are probably no women left in the world who do not know what nail extensions are. This is one of the most popular procedures, in which a specially trained specialist, or nail master, artificially lengthens and strengthens the nail plate using special materials that gain strength thanks to an ultraviolet lamp. Previously, acrylic was used for this, but now gel has gained great popularity.
Extended nails now look much more natural than they did several decades ago. They are strong, shiny, thin, so they can easily be confused with natural nails. The extension procedure itself takes no more than 2-3 hours, and nail art masters sometimes create real masterpieces on their nails, after which a woman may not think about manicure at all for 3-4 weeks.
However, there is also another side to the coin. Various gels, degreasers, and bases contain chemical compounds, and this can be detected by smell during extensions. The woman may notice an odor reminiscent of paint or glue.
The second point is damage to your own nails. The master processes the nail plate with hard files and uses a burr, and exposure to ultraviolet radiation negatively affects the condition of the surface layers of the nails.
The third point is the slight burning sensation that the client experiences when he places his palm in the ultraviolet lamp.
Despite all these disadvantages, the nail extension procedure does not lose its relevance, and many women have been using this method of decorating their own fingers for years.
Do pregnant women paint their nails with gel polish?
For many beauties, gel polish has become an excellent alternative to regular manicure. The thing is that it lasts longer than ordinary varnish and pleases the eyes with the impeccable condition of the nails. At the same time, it is not at all necessary to abandon household chores. Gel polish is safe for washing dishes, laundry, cooking and other household chores. The only question is the safety of its use when a woman is preparing to become a mother. The composition of gel polish is no more dangerous than regular polish. In addition, unlike extensions, gel polish coating does not require polishing the nail plate to such an extent. Consequently, such a manicure can be considered more gentle due to the absence of the need to file off the nail layer, as well as the unpleasant odor for the sensitive nose of pregnant women when the varnish dries.
Checking the composition of the products
Another reason why you should not do nail extensions during pregnancy is the composition of the products used for the procedure. Low-quality products contain methyl methacrylate (a component banned in Europe and America back in 1974) and other substances that can negatively affect health.
For example, even though methyl methacrylate has been replaced by the safer ethyl methacrylate, it can cause coughing, burning, migraines, and dizziness. And although many agree that the concentration of substances harmful to health is not sufficient to harm the health of the mother and child, in order to prevent pathology (and few want to become a rare exception), it is advisable to abandon the procedure.
When choosing materials, many people prefer gel coating, believing that such nail extensions during pregnancy are safer for health. This opinion is erroneous, because although acrylic, unlike gel, smells strong and unpleasant, these substances evaporate and affect the respiratory tract in the same way, and reviews from researchers indicate that the effect on the body of products of the same quality is no different.
Extending nails during pregnancy with gel is a more pleasant procedure, since a woman’s sense of smell during this period is heightened, which is why she may not be able to withstand the unpleasant smell.
We should also not forget that nail polishes and nail care products may contain harmful components. Therefore, experts who do not recommend nail extensions in their reviews, but allow the use of varnish, advise choosing the product carefully and ensuring that the product does not contain toluene, toulin, dibutyl phthalate, camphor, and the particularly harmful substance formaldehyde. All of them negatively affect health and can harm the health of mother and baby.
In order not to make a mistake when choosing a product, experts advise purchasing varnishes designed for pregnant women; if they are not on sale, you can buy products labeled “Big3free”, which do not contain formaldehyde, toluene, or dibutyl phthalate. And even better - “Big5free”: in addition to these substances, the varnish does not contain camphor and formaldehyde resin. It is advisable for all girls to use such varnishes, regardless of their menstrual cycle, as well as whether the woman is pregnant or not.
What kind of polish can pregnant women paint their nails on?
Based on the facts we have described, it turns out that pregnant women, like others, can use any varnish, as well as extend their nails during the main period of their life. The main thing when taking care of yourself is not to forget about basic safety measures and not to overdo it with innovations.
There are no contraindications to manicure for pregnant women, since no serious consequences for the fetus have been identified due to the use of manicure products.
Contraindications
Nail extensions will be successful if you follow the basic principles. But in some cases the procedure should be abandoned. Contraindications are as follows:
- allergic reaction to gel or acrylic;
- fungal diseases;
- severe delamination of the nail plate;
- antibiotic therapy;
- a large number of abrasions and hangnails.
If a woman is in good health and has no contraindications, nail extensions are not prohibited. But even in this case, caution is recommended. When carrying out the procedure, it is advisable to use proven materials to prevent the development of an allergic reaction. If there are any doubts, then it is better for pregnant women to refuse the extension procedure. Still, the child’s health is more important.
Safe nail polish for pregnant women?
As we have determined, any nail polish, in principle, is no more dangerous for a pregnant woman than for a woman who is not pregnant. Therefore, you should not completely avoid caring for your hands, skin and nails.
Just remember that polishes and nail extensions may behave more unusually and capriciously on your nails than usual. You have the right to determine for yourself, based on your feelings, which varnish is right for you.
After all, it is the smell of nail polish that causes the greatest dislike for pregnant women. Choose the option that suits you. If there is a regular polish whose smell doesn’t irritate you, maybe you should treat yourself and buy the entire palette?
Or maybe you’ll be satisfied with a classic French jacket applied with gel polish, and you won’t get tired of wearing it for two weeks? The choice is yours!
What does an expectant mother need to know when visiting a manicurist?
To protect yourself from unpleasant consequences when visiting nail salons, take on board a few more useful recommendations:
- If you want to sleep, suffer from toxicosis or have accumulated fatigue, it is better to refuse the procedures. The specific odors of harmful fumes can cause headaches, or even worse, depending on the materials. Even if you make an appointment with the best master in the city and skip the line. Your well-being, which certainly affects the condition of the baby, is much more important than a manicure;
- Before going to a nail salon, read online reviews or advice from friends. Go to a master who inspires trust, not necessarily the one who charges more money for his services. But the materials must be of high quality and in no case market consumer goods. Don’t be lazy to study the composition and ask the master. Request that the table be disinfected and instruments processed in your presence. It is ideal if the workplace in the manicure room is equipped with an exhaust hood, but an open window or good ventilation is also allowed;
- try to get into the salon early in the morning, before the air is filled with fumes from other people’s procedures;
- give preference to unedged manicure, then the risk of infection will be minimal. The cuticle is softened using safe means and cleaned with wooden sticks or moved with a manicure spatula;
- During the first 12 weeks and last 4 weeks of pregnancy, refrain from painting or extending your nails. During the first months, the baby’s vital organs are formed, and in the last months, labor may begin every night, and there will be no time to remove nail polish. In the maternity hospital, there will be no time and nowhere to renew your manicure, and you can’t scatter peeling paint everywhere. Due to the need to frequently wash yourself and your baby after childbirth, it is better to trim your nails to avoid accidental scratching.
And yes, if you have already decided to varnish, do not choose elaborate designs. Every touch prolongs your stay in a place that is not very suitable for an expectant mother.
Video: what are the dangers of nail salons and how to protect yourself
By the way, about reviews of nail salons - I would advise looking for them on third-party resources, for example, on social networks there is probably at least one community in your locality. It seems to me that the real reviews there are more honest than on the website or wall of the salon’s official community. Most service industry websites are pre-moderated - comments appear there only after approval by the administration, objectionable messages are simply deleted. This applies not only to beauty salons. For many years now, on official pages I have only looked at the range of services provided, and I go to find out about their quality “in person”.
Nails during pregnancy: care
It is known that nails, like hair, grow much faster during pregnancy. This means that you will have to do your usual procedures in a beauty salon or at home more often.
If gel polish could previously be applied once a month, then during pregnancy it will have to be renewed every one and a half to two weeks. Don’t forget to also add calcium-rich foods to your diet, since not only your nails are growing, but also your unborn child’s. Persimmons, sesame seeds, and hard cheeses will help keep your nails in good condition and enrich the body with the necessary elements.
Gel
Gel nail extensions can have more or less real negative consequences for the fetus. Some of the materials used contain the chemical compound methacrylate. Theoretically, it can cause some harm to the development of the fetus and cause its defects. However, the concentrations in which it is used make nail extensions during pregnancy completely safe.
This compound is within the permissible limits in absolutely all materials. Those in which it exceeded this norm have been prohibited for sale on the market in Russia for quite a long time. However, in cheap means of production in China and Korea it can still be found in excess quantities, since they are often imported and entered the market illegally. Such materials are not used in salons, and those who do extensions at home themselves can be advised not to skimp on materials, but to purchase only products from well-known, trusted brands.
https://youtu.be/dXZLEw0Ku5g
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Thus, the question of whether it is possible to do gel polish during pregnancy or to extend nails with gel remains open. However, it is worth noting that coating your own nails with gel occurs quite quickly, and therefore the chemical compound simply does not have time to have an effect. As for gel polishes, methacrylate is present in them in even smaller quantities or not at all, and therefore there is nothing to be afraid of.
In order to protect yourself and your unborn child as much as possible, it is best to purchase goods to increase production in the USA, Canada or Europe. The fact is that in the more developed sphere of beauty in the West, a different compound has long been used, namely ethyl methacrylate. It is completely harmless, and therefore, to the question of whether gel polish is harmful during pregnancy and whether it can be used for nail extensions, you can unequivocally answer that it is not harmful and the procedure will not have negative consequences.
https://youtu.be/8drin-0OUvI
Nails during pregnancy: reviews and useful tips
ADVICE : expectant mothers should create a personal care program for themselves, taking into account the characteristics of their own nails. If your gel polish lasts a long time, then I think it’s better to apply it than to paint your nails with a strong-smelling regular polish every three days.
ADVICE : If extended nails allow you to do without a manicure for about a month, then it is better to do it during pregnancy, limiting the inhalation of harmful fumes. In all cases, remember that the room where you put your hands in order must be well ventilated, for example, have an exhaust hood.
ADVICE : Eat right, be calm, enjoy life and your manicure as well!
Tips: how to protect yourself and your unborn child
If you cannot refuse nail extensions, then you should take care of safety measures:
- Choose professionals with extensive experience and good recommendations.
- Arrange to carry out the procedure outdoors or at least in a room with good ventilation.
- Personally check the composition and country of manufacture of the materials before the session.
- Wear the mask until the end of the procedure.
- Breathe only through your nose.
- When you return home, rinse your nose with clean water or saline solution.
When is it better to refrain from the procedure?
Trimesters of pregnancy
Nail extensions should not be done during the 1st trimester of pregnancy. During this period, the organs and systems of the unborn child are formed, so he is especially vulnerable to chemicals.
The procedure can be dangerous for the woman herself, since her body weakens due to hormonal changes.
She already suffers from toxicosis, weakness and dizziness. The pungent smell of acrylic can cause an expectant mother to faint.
When can pregnant women get nail extensions?
Nail care can be resumed starting in the middle of the second trimester. By this time, the woman’s condition is normalized, toxicosis passes and the body as a whole adapts to the changes. However, when the time approaches the birth, all manicure procedures will have to be canceled again.
Why should you go to the maternity hospital with natural nails?
Doctors recommend that pregnant women come to the maternity hospital with a clean nail plate. This request is primarily due to safety for the expectant mother.
When a caesarean section is performed, the anesthesiologist monitors the condition of the woman in labor, including changes in the nails. If they turn blue, this is a warning sign. However, with extended nails, this sign can be missed.
In addition, after giving birth, a woman with long extended nails will find it inconvenient to care for the baby. There will be risks of injuring the baby, because he has very thin skin.
